DAVID PUGH

Dave was born the second of three sons to Warren and Mary Pugh in Wheeling, West Virginia, on October 7, 1940. He graduated from Linsly Military Institute in 1958, where he was a standout swimmer and diver. Through his friendship with Linsly classmate John Selby, Dave met the love of his life, Mary Alice Selby. The couple married in 1966, after both graduating from West Virginia University, and remained together until Mary Alice’s passing in 2009.

After getting married, Dave and Mary Alice settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There, they welcomed their first son, Todd. Dave loved the Steel City and in particular, his Pittsburgh Steelers. He waved the “Terrible Towel” until the end. Dave’s career in corporate accounting led the young family from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast where they put down roots in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and had their second son, Michael. Dave and Mary Alice raised their boys, were active members of the community, and made lifelong friendships in the Garden State. Dave’s sophomoric humor and antics around Scotch Plains-Fanwood are still remembered by all who knew him.

Professional opportunity, however, moved the family to South Florida in 1982, and that is where Dave and Mary Alice remained. He and his wife both received their master’s degrees from Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale. Following his retirement from corporate finance, Dave opened a small accounting firm in Delray Beach, Florida. No matter who you were or what you could afford, Dave prepared your taxes at his little office on George Bush Boulevard. He could be found having lunch daily at the counter at Sande’s Restaurant on Federal Highway.

While Dave wore a suit and tie to the office for most of his life, it was working with his hands that truly made him happy. Whether he was creating beautiful furniture for his family and friends or just tinkering around the garage and yard, he was more at home at the hardware store than the boardroom. He loved wrenching on his bicycles and his breakfast rides up A1A with his buddies. He put effort, honesty, and humor into everything that he did and believed that “how you do some things, is how you do everything.”

Dave needed extra assistance in his later years due to the progression of his Parkinson’s Disease. His caregivers Michelle and Tanya provided him with kindness, companionship, and laughter — particularly during their frequent trips to John G’s and his favorite, The Ice Cream Club in Lantana.

Dave will be laid to rest next to his beloved Mary Alice at Riverview Cemetery in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Dave remained a diehard West Virginia Mountaineers fan until the day he passed and, as most would agree, the boy from Wheeling Island never really left the banks of the Ohio River.

Dave was the last of the “Pugh boys” from Wheeling having outlived his brothers Thomas and Robert. He is survived by his two sons, Todd (Lauren) of Chicago, IL, and Michael (Jennifer) of Sewall’s Point, FL; his brother in law, John (Barbara deceased) Selby of San Diego, CA; his sister in law, Ethel (Edward deceased) Selby of Middlefield, OH; his nieces and nephews Pam (Brett) Graves, and their son Seth of Lewes, DE; Edward Lee (Polly) Selby of Portland, OR; Janet (Michael deceased) Kinnard of Athens, OH; James (Kelly) Selby of Middlefield, OH; John (Heather) Selby of San Diego, CA; and Blake (Devin) Selby of San Diego, CA.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Del Lago Chapel, 131 S. Lakeside Drive, Lake Worth, FL.

A Burial Service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Riverview cemetery, located in Martins Ferry, Ohio, with Rev. James Hoff officiating. Dinner to follow for all who care to join at Figaretti’s Restaurant, 1035 Mount DeChantal Rd, Wheeling, WV.

Wilson Funeral Home – Heslop Chapel, 415 Walnut Street, Martins Ferry, Ohio 43935, is proudly assisting the family. To leave on-line condolences please visit www.wilsonfuneral homes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation. https://www.parkinson.org.